Emergency Response Teams take out honours at the Victorian Mine Rescue Competition

Victorian, NSW and Tasmanian mines took part in the MCA Victorian Mine Rescue Competition (VMRC) over the weekend 23-25 August in Bendigo.

Cornwall Coal won best overall at the event, followed by Ballarat Gold Mine in second place and Mandalay Resources Costerfield Operations in third place.

VMRC is a major annual safety training exercise involving simulated rescue scenarios for mine emergency response teams organised by MCA Victoria.

Scenarios were hosted by Agnico Eagle’s Fosterville Gold Mine, and the Central Deborah Gold Mine.

This safety training exercise relies on volunteers, adjudicators, and sponsors who the MCA thanks for their dedication for helping to improve safety in Victorian mines.

Eight teams competed in simulated exercises helping prepare mines for any emergencies.

An important part of the competition is the involvement of emergency response agencies including Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria to improve preparedness with the mine rescue community.

The competition is a critical part of the mining industry’s efforts to support highly trained rescue personnel now in its 31st year.

MCA Victoria thanks the numerous volunteers and sponsors that make this mine safety training possible.

2024 Victorian Mine Rescue Competition full results

Overall

1st: Cornwall Coal Mine

2nd: Ballarat Gold Mine

3rd: Mandalay Resources, Costerfield Operations

Winning Team Captain

Anthony Woods, Cornwall Coal Mine

Winning Team – Overall Safety

Fosterville Gold Mine

Fire Exercise

1st: Mandalay Resources, Costerfield Operations

2nd: Cornwall Coal Mine

3rd: Stawell Gold Mines

First Aid

1st: Cornwall Coal Mine

2nd: Ballarat Gold Mine

3rd: Stawell Gold Mines

Ropes Exercise

1st: Fosterville Gold Mine

2nd: Mandalay Resources, Costerfield Operations

3rd: Cornwall Coal Mine

Underground Search & Rescue

1st: Ballarat Gold Mine

2nd: Fosterville Gold Mine

3rd: Cornwall Coal Mine

Skills Exercise

1st: Cornwall Coal Mine

2nd: Mandalay Resources, Costerfield Operations

Equal 3rd: CFA Oscar 1 and Fosterville Gold Mine

Theory

1st: Mandalay Resources, Costerfield Operations

2nd: Fosterville Gold Mine

3rd: Ballarat Gold Mine

Breathing Apparatus

1st: Mandalay Resources, Costerfield Operations

2nd: Cowal Gold Mine

3rd: CFA Oscar 1

Road Crash Rescue

1st: Cowal Gold Mine

Equal 2nd: Fosterville Gold Mine & Ballarat Gold Mine

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